French E-2C Hawkeye Fleet to Receive IFF Upgrades

Woodrow Bellamy III

The U.S. Navy has issued a $34.5 million contract to Northrop Grumman to provide upgraded Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems for the French Navy's fleet of E-2C Hawkeyes early warning and battle management aircraft.

France has operated a fleet of three E-2C Hawkeyes since 2000, and is the only other country other than the United States currently operating the aircraft. The new IFF systems will feature the installation of AN/APX-122A IFF Mode 5/Mode S Interrogators and AN/APX-123 IFF Mode 5/Mode S Transponders, further increasing interoperability with the U.S. Navy's E-2D Hawkeye fleet.

"Northrop Grumman has had a long and collaborative partnership with the French Navy, extending back to October 1997," said Bart LaGrone, vice president, E-2/C-2 programs, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "Through that partnership, we've observed the proactive and innovative approach the French Navy takes to maintaining relevancy of its E-2 Hawkeye fleet and personnel."